Aga Khan University, chartered in 1983 as Pakistan's first private international university, is committed to the provision of education, research, and health care of international standard relevant to Pakistan and the region. The affiliated Aga Khan University Hospital has well-equipped investigative services and provides state-of-the-art clinical facilities. 

This is a joint appointment between The Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research (CRM) and the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences (OVS).  It will provide an excellent opportunity in a highly enabling environment for the successful candidate to pursue their scientific passion and drive the application of biomedical science to improve human health.

The Aga Khan University (AKU) has partnered with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) - an internationally renowned Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell  Research - in developing and evolving CRM. CRM is a state-of-the-art facility to undertake cutting-edge research on stem cell and regenerative medicine. OVS is a newly formed Department at AKU that aspires to be a regional center of excellence; it delivers international standard subspecialized and multidisciplinary eye care services integrated with education, research, and professional development.  OVS offer a highly collaborative environment for translational vision science that builds on inter-departmental strengths in molecular genetics of inherited retinal diseases, ocular oncology, retinopathy of prematurity, and early detection of childhood vision problems.

This appointment is for a new thematic program at CRM entitled “Stem cell translational vision science program” that will work on ophthalmology-based stem cell research.We invite applications from an outstanding scientist who has a track record of excellence in research to build and establish an internationally competitive vison science program in stem cell and regenerative medicine.

The successful applicant will be supported with startup funds and additional resources as deemed appropriate. 

Reporting to the Interim Director, CRM and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, the successful candidate will be expected to conduct a vigorous program of independent, externally funded research, attract excellent trainees, mentor future researchers, and work in a highly productive collaborative environment. The candidate will also work closely with specialized medical staff, nurses, optometrists, technicians, and technologists on projects related to but not limited to retinal disorders, glaucoma, cataract, corneal transplant, orbital reconstruction, and ophthalmic tumors. 

The candidate is expected to:

• deliver high quality scientific insight and establish a new area of research at CRM in stem cell translational vision science
• catalyze early-stage innovations, bridging the gap between fundamental research and practical application for patient impact 
• ensure effective project decision-making and the delivery of project milestones 
• establish and maintain links with relevant researchers and other academic institutions
• write proposals and build collaborative multidisciplinary relationships to move forward research ideas and secure intramural and extramural funding  
• have a competitive publication record of original peer-reviewed research, and develop or have an established extramurally funded research program 
• provide evidence of their commitment to multi-disciplinary collaborative research and excellence in teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate and graduate levels 
• serve as a member/leader of department/hospital/university committees related to research
• undertake other responsibilities as assigned by supervisors.